COVID-19 vaccine uptake and its determinants among teenagers and their parents in Zhejiang, China: An online cross-sectional study

Objective:To examine COVID-19 vaccine uptake and its determinants among teenagers and their parents in Zhejiang,China.Methods:An online cross-sectional study was conducted among parents of teenagers in Zhejiang,China from May 1 to 31,2022.Data were interpreted via univariate and multivariate analyses using the statistical package for the social sciences(SPSS)program.Results:A total of 11115(96.11%)participants and 11449(99.00%)of their children in Zhejiang,China had been vaccinated against COVID-19.Children whose parents did not receive COVID-19 vaccination were 19 times(aOR 18.96,95%CI 12.36-29.08)more likely to be unvaccinated than their counterparts.In addition,children with no previous influenza vaccination,those whose parents doubted the COVID-19 vaccine’s safety or effectiveness,were 6.11 times(aOR 6.11,95%CI 2.80-13.34),8.27 times(aOR 8.27,95%CI 5.33-12.83),and 2.69 times(aOR 2.69,95%CI 1.11-6.50)more likely to be unvaccinated than their counterparts,respectively.COVID-19 vaccine uptake varied between different sociodemographic groups.However,the odds of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine decreased as age and education level increased.The main refusal reasons claimed by participants were that they had medical conditions that may not qualify them for vaccination(53.78%),followed by safety concerns about the vaccine(13.56%),not knowing where to get vaccinated(6.44%),and concerns about fertility issues(5.56%).Conclusions:Despite a highly encouraging level of COVID-19 vaccine uptake in Zhejiang,China,the elderly and highly educated people had lower COVID-19 vaccine uptake.It is suggested that tailored health education strategies should be taken to increase the COVID-19 vaccine uptake in such groups.Furthermore,with vaccination rates at such a high level,the pandemic is still ongoing,and public confidence in vaccines may decline.Thus,sufficient evidence-based information regarding COVID-19 vaccines should be provided to the public.

Socio-Demographic and Economic Factors Associated with Uptake of COVID-19 Vaccine among Pregnant Women at Pumwani Maternity Hospital in Nairobi County, Kenya

Introduction: Pregnant women are a highly vulnerable population for COVID-19 with increased risk of hospitalization, intensive-care unit admission, invasive ventilation support, and mortality. Objective: This study determined the socio-demographic and economic factors associated with the uptake of COVID-19 vaccine among pregnant women utilizing antenatal care services in Pumwani Maternity Hospital, Nairobi County-Kenya. Methods: The study was carried out from 15 June to 23 July 2023. Systematic sampling was used to select 302 women from whom data was collected through face-to-face interviews using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed using SPSS software in which bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were done at a significance level of p Results: A total of 302 pregnant women participated in the study. Of these, 105 (34.8%) were aged between twenty-six (26) and thirty (30) years. The mean age of the women was 28.60 ± (SD = 5.297). The uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine was 41.1%. The common side effects reported to be associated with the vaccines were fever, headache, joint pain, vomiting and skin rash. Uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine was significantly associated with being married (AOR = 3.65, 95% CI: 0.62 - 1.80, p = 0.001), having a secondary level of education (AOR = 3.78, 95% CI: 0.99 - 2.88, p = 0.001) and being employed (COR = 2.66, 95% CI: 1.31 - 3.06, p = 0.001). Conclusion: COVID-19 vaccination uptake remains low among pregnant women in seeking ANC in Nairobi. The individual factors associated with the uptake of COVID-19 vaccine among pregnant Women at Pumwani maternity hospital in Nairobi County were being married, having secondary level of education and being employed. Integration of the COVID-19 vaccine with other routine vaccinations as per the national immunization program in Kenya and the enhancement of education regarding the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine in pregnancy and breastfeeding and economic empowerment of women are recommended.

COVID-19 Vaccination Uptake and Associated Factors in Selected Communities in Two Southwestern States in Nigeria

Introduction: COVID-19 vaccine uptake and acceptance have been a major global concern due to the prevalent misinformation and disinformation that has characterized the vaccine rollout worldwide. This study aimed to assess COVID-19 vaccine uptake and acceptance, and associated factors among selected community members in two states in southwestern Nigeria. Method: We conducted a cross-sectional study using a multistage sampling technique. Fifty catchment settlements of 10 health facilities in each of Oyo and Ogun States targeted for a COVID-19 infection prevention and control intervention were randomly selected. Four households were targeted per settlement. All households that refused access were replaced, to ensure a minimum of four households randomly selected per settlement. The primary household decision-maker was interviewed in each household. Information elicited included respondents’ sociodemographic characteristics, health history, knowledge, risk and benefit perception about the COVID-19 vaccine, vaccine uptake, and willingness to be vaccinated. The study was conducted from July–August 2021. Data were analyzed using SPSS IBM version 23. Result: Four hundred household decision-makers were surveyed in Oyo and Ogun states, after replacement. The mean age of the respondents was 43.0 ± 11.0 years. The majority, 346 (86.5%) had heard about COVID-19 vaccination, but only 47 (13.6%) had received a COVID-19 vaccination. Of the 299 respondents who reported not receiving a COVID-19 vaccination, 166 (55.5%) were willing to be vaccinated. In univariate analysis, respondents who were female had tertiary education, perceived that COVID-19 vaccines are free and accessible, perceived that COVID-19 vaccines have minimal side effects, and perceived higher benefits of COVID-19 vaccination had higher odds of being vaccinated. In contrast, younger respondents, respondents with higher knowledge scores on COVID-19 preventive measures, and with chronic illness had lower likelihoods of being vaccinated. In multivariate analysis, only the respondent’s age, perception score on COVID-19 vaccine benefits, knowledge score on IPC measures, and positive response on accessibility and safety were significant after adjusting for other factors. Conclusion: COVID-19 vaccine uptake rate as well as willingness to receive vaccination were low in the study setting. There is an urgent need for policymakers to embark on well-designed campaigns to address barriers to COVID-19 vaccination to increase vaccine uptake.

Uptake of Two Doses of HPV Vaccines in Nakuru County, Kenya: A Case of Rongai and Nakuru West Sub-Counties

Background: HPV vaccines were introduced globally as one of the most effective strategies to prevent cervical cancer. HPV vaccines were rolled out in Kenya in 2019 targeting girls aged 10 - 14 years, but the uptake has not been satisfactory. The Purpose of the Study: The aim of the study was to assess the level of HPV uptake among girls aged 10 - 14 years in Rongai and Nakuru West Sub-Counties in Nakuru County. Method: This was a cross-sectional study where data on HPV uptake was retrieved from all the public health facilities located in Rongai and Nakuru West Sub-Counties, Nakuru County, entered into Microsoft Excel then transferred to SPSS version 26 for analysis of HPV vaccine uptake since the year 2019 to June 2022. Data Analysis: Descriptive statistics were used where tables and graphs were generated to represent the percentages and trends of HPV vaccine uptake. Results: The average percentage of HPV uptake in Nakuru West Sub-County since the rollout of vaccination was 17% while that of Rongai Sub-County was 15%. In 2019, HPV 1 uptake was generally low for both Sub-Counties, the results show no HPV 2 vaccines were administered during that year. In 2020, Nakuru West reported an increase in HPV 1 uptake, while Rongai reported a drop in HPV 1 uptake. Both Sub-Counties reported an increase in HPV 2 in 2020 as compared to the previous year. The highest HPV 1 & 2 uptakes were reported in 2021 in both Sub-Counties. The uptake of both HPV 1 & 2 kept increasing subsequently. Conclusion: The overall uptake of HPV vaccines for Doses 1 and 2, in both Rongai and Nakuru West Sub-Counties, is low. However, there has been a consistent increase in uptake of the two doses in the two Sub-Counties since 2019. Therefore, raising public awareness of the importance of HPV vaccination could improve uptake.

Prevalence of influenza vaccination coverage amongst the first and third generation Asian adults in California, United States of America

The Asian population comprises the third largest ethnic minority in the state of California.However,influenza vaccination coverage amongst the overall Asian population,and the first and third-generation Asian’s have not been widely studied.Previous literature exploring generational status as a corelate of influenza immunization amongst Mexican identified Latino adults confirms disparities in influenza vaccination coverage by generation.This study aims to report on the prevalence of influenza vaccination coverage amongst the overall,first and third-generation Asians in California,and examine the correlates of influenza vaccination coverage in the aforementioned population.Methods:Cross-sectional data from the California Health Interview Survey 2016 for Asian adults was analyzed using IBM SPSS 25.0 for Mac.Descriptive statistics were utilized for reporting the frequencies and percentages of the selected variables.Weighted multivariable binary logistic regression was used to obtain adjusted odds ratios(95%confidence interval)and determine independent association between socioeconomic determinants and influenza vaccination coverage amongst the first and third-generation Asians at P<0.05.The analysis was adjusted for“visit to the doctor”and“insurance status”.Results:Thirteen point one percent(n=2,761)of the survey respondents(N=21,055)identified as Asians.The first-generation(n=1,857,67%)comprised the highest proportion of the Asian ethnic group.Influenza vaccination coverage was reported as 61.2%amongst the overall,61.1%amongst the first-generation and 70.9%amongst the third-generation respectively.All predictor variables were significant amongst the first-generation,however amongst the third-generation all variables except for location and living in a household of 3 and more,were significant predictors of influenza vaccination coverage.Conclusion:Compared to the other ethnic groups in California,the Asian respondents reported a higher percentage of influenza vaccination coverage.Influenza vaccination coverage was the highest amongst the third-generation Asians.Increased influenza vaccination coverage amongst the Asian ethnic group can be ascribed to higher educational attainment,a higher proportion choosing to visit a doctor as well as increased insurance coverage.

Model-based evaluation of policy impacts and the continued COVID-19 risk at long term care facilities

The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted long-term care facilities resulting in the death of approximately 8%of residents nationwide as of March 2021.As COVID-19 case rates declined and state and county restrictions were lifted in spring 2021,facility managers,local and state health agencies were challenged with defining their own policies moving forward to appropriately mitigate disease transmission.The continued emergence of variants of concern and variable vaccineuptake across facilitieshighlighted the need for a readily available tool that can beemployed at the facility-level to determine best practices for mitigation and ensure resident and staff safety.To assist leadership in determining the impact of various infection surveillance and response strategies,we developed an agent-based model and an online dashboard interface that simulates COVID-19 infection within congregate care settings under various mitigation measures.This dashboard quantifies the continued risk for COVID-19 infections within a facility given a designated testing schedule and vaccine requirements.Key findings were that choice of COVID-19 diagnostic(ex.nasal swab qRT-PCR vs rapid antigen)and testing cadence has less impact on attack rate and staff workdays missed than does vaccination rates among staff and residents.Specifically,low vaccine uptake among staff at long-term care facilities puts staff and residents at risk of ongoing COVID-19 outbreaks.Here we present our model and dashboard as an exemplar of a tool for state public health officials and facility directors to gain insights from an infectious disease model that can directly inform policy decisions in the midst of a pandemic.